While it may be super-common, there are still a lot of myths out there about it — here are five I hear a lot.

Myth 1: If I don’t have any sores, I don’t have herpes.
Herpes can lay dormant (sort of like it’s in hibernation) for years without causing any noticeable symptoms. Because of this, many people don’t know they have it and may have trouble figuring out how or when they got it. When symptoms do occur, they often appear as small blisters on or around the genitals. The blisters may look like pimples with clear fluid in them, and they may be painful or have a burning sensation. The best way to find out if you have herpes is to see a health care provider if you have pain, blisters or a sore.

Myth 2: We didn’t have sex, so there’s no way I have genital herpes.
Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who carries the virus. That means you can get herpes by touching, kissing and oral, vaginal or butt sex. People who carry herpes don’t always know they have the virus, and they may not have any visible sores on their skin.

That said, your risk of getting the virus is higher if you’ve had contact with a partner who does have a visible sore. Using condoms can majorly decrease the risk of spreading the virus, but doesn’t eliminate it completely. Unfortunately, no other type of birth control reduces the risk of this STI.

Comment Disclaimer: Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

tcisneros

Ppl the do have a test to check if u have herpes. The test check for the for the virus.It can tell u if it a new infection are an old infection. They dr don’t alway offer it to u. But u can ask for it.

Cinnamon71

Being celibate is starting to look better more and more each day…The cavalier attitude towards wanton sex for decades has finally come home to roost. Having sex in this day and age without protection is like playing sexual Russian Roulette. You just don’t know who has what or who is doing who so it’s best for you and your partner to get tested routinely, always use protection, stay monagamous or stay celibate.

Cinnamon71

Being celibate is starting to look better more and more each day…The cavalier attitude towards wanton sex for decades has finally come home to roost. Having sex in this day and age without protection is like playing sexual Russian Roulette. You just don’t know who has what or who is doing who so it’s best for you and your partner to get tested routinely, always use protection, stay monagamous or stay celibate.

Candacey Doris

Agreed. Already celibate and that’s not changing from what i see out there.

JustSayin

Here is my thing about Herpes. If it is almost impossible to detect (unless it is active) and can lie dominant in a body for years before even surfacing… then how is someone supposed to know if they have herpes? How does the entire medical world know that 3 out of 10 people have it? When 7 out of 10 people don’t even go to the Dr. let alone are really tested for a disease when they feel absolutely fine. I just feel there are some holes in the research that are left unfilled. I get tested every year but there is no way to test for herpes. Even if I use a condom… still susceptable to an STD.

blood tests do not detect herpes. the only way to know if you have herpes is if you have a break out. the problem as a woman with this is, you can have an internal break out and never know. all you can do is wear condoms, use dental dams, wear finger cots/gloves during sexual activity.

Candacey Doris

A PCR blood test does indeed detect herpes. Whoever told you otherwise is being shady. An antibody test can also tell you if you have it.

Kisses

Exactly. You have to go and request it normally, but I have a friend who had bloodwork done for something totally different and they told her as a courtesy. Good thing she already knew.

hiswomanandlovingit

blood tests do not detect herpes. the only way to know if you have herpes is if you have a break out. the problem as a woman with this is, you can have an internal break out and never know. all you can do is wear condoms, use dental dams, wear finger cots/gloves during sexual activity.

IllyPhilly

This is sad that you have to educate grown people about STD’s online. This is stuff I learned in 8th grade.

SheBe

Yuck

Nikki G.

People would be shocked to know how many people have herpes. I would be willing to bet that at least 85% of people have had sex with someone with herpes, unknowingly. Many people with herpes don’t have symptoms or they mistake the symptoms for something else.

vistor1

I would agree with you. I know for a fact a few people who have it and have sex with guys and do not tell they feel as long as you take medicine and have no symptoms its ok

Candacey Doris

I know of a girl that has unprotected sex as a way of getting back at men. She got it from a man who lied and said he was clean and has been mad ever since. Be careful out there!